Stoke are fortunate enough to boast a relatively clean bill of health, with Glenn Whelan fit enough for international duty and Robert Huth having served his recent suspension.

Key Players

Huth will be crucial for Stoke. The German has kept the Potters back four impressively organised and disciplined in recent clashes between this pair, with Everton unable to create many clear-cut chances.

The Toffees managed just two shots on target in December's 1-1 draw, as Stoke's height, coupled with some bruising physicality proved a tough combination for David Moyes' side to better.

For that reason, Nikica Jelavic will be key for the hosts.

Having finally broken his scoring drought against Manchester City, Everton will need their striker to be clinically ruthless in front of goal and finish any chance that comes his way—especially with the likes of Pienaar and Fellaini missing from the final third.

Potential Starting XIs

Everton pick themselves at the back, with Jan Mucha and Johnny Heitinga presumably filling in for Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka—although Moyes has stated he hopes his injured pair could still feature (via EvertonFC.com).

It gets a little bit more complicated further forward, given the absence of Fellaini and Pienaar. Jelavic's scoring return against City will almost certainly result in his inclusion, meaning Victor Anichebe is likely to drop deeper.

Kevin Mirallas may then switch to his more favoured left flank ahead of Leighton Baines and spend periods of play interchanging with Anichebe.

That leaves Moyes with a final dilemma over which of Bryan Oviedo, Steven Naismith and Ross Barkley to use on the right.

With Oviedo more suited to the left and Barkley still a reluctant pick, it seems likely this final slot will go to Naismith. Alternatively, Phil Neville could return in the middle with Leon Osman ushered out wide.

For Stoke, Tony Pulis is likely to revert to a 4-5-1 approach, with his familiar back four.

Huth's return will probably come at the expense of Ryan Shotton, while Charlie Adam or Dean Whitehead seem more likely to be included than Cameron Jerome.

Peter Crouch is expected to lead the line and will hope to exploit his significant height advantage over Heitinga.